[LynseyB]

I couldn't give a stuff about the customer service

I think perhaps the point Maltey was trying to make was (please correct me if I'm wrong) that these shops will exist for the foreseeable future so while some people continue to buy from them, good customer service in terms of knowledge and enthusiam are important.

They should not be selling animals.
More people should be educated about where these animals come from.

BUT while people still do shop here for animals and other products, accurate knowledgeable advice is important so that the animals they buy at least go off to live on the correct diet with an appropriate sized cage etc etc.

 

[Maltey]

Exactly that LynseyB, you put it better than I could've!

 

[Guest]

I couldn't give a stuff about the customer service - they get their animals from rodent mills, why isn't that enough to want to boycott them? I don't care whether the conditions are terrible or pristine in the shop, it's all a ruse for the cruelty going on in the background.

I rescued Lavender who was a P@H girl, missexed, she and her sister were pregnant when they were only babies themselves. Her sister wasn't so lucky and died giving birth, but Lavender and her babies grew up with me and apart from the two remaining, have all become sick and died of an illness which appears to be a cruel and painful genetic timebomb. Pets at Home encouraged this irresponsible breeding; breeding pain and sickness into animals. That is why we hate them.

We recoil at the thought of puppy and kitten mills, of backyard breeders, this is no different yet people don't seem as disgusted. If you knew a pet shop was buying say, kittens from a mill - this is still legal albeit the pet shop needs a license to sell kittens, you would boycott it right? Not even step in the door? Why is this any different?

Hear hear
It is a huge bugbare of mine that people constantly brush over where these animals come from, P@H are responsible for so, so many rabbits in rescue (fact not made up) due to their "advise" and selling to anyone that can put the money on the counter...

The ONLY way to stop P@H selling animals is to STOP buying from them Simple why is that so hard to see

 

[Nancy23]

Reading this thread I didnt know just how bad they are, Its so sad
I went to one a while ago and was so upset I had to leave, there was 2 rabbits only young ones and there was these two snot nosed little brats baning on the glass front of where they were kept screaming and shouting becuase they wanted them, the bunnies were beyond terrified!!! and the shop assistant who was stood talking to the parents did nothing,

 

[Maltey]

And we all have, which is great. But not everybody is aware of these conditions, let's face it it's hardly publicised, and some people just don't care or don't see what they're doing as helping the problem. They think they're helping that one animal and don't see the bigger picture.
So whilst the solution may simply be to stop buying from them, actually it's bigger than that and it's awareness that we need to focus on.

 

[EffyJiggy]

I dislike Pets at home since witnessing one of the groomers rough handling of a tiny Yorkshire Terrier in Hertfordshire, as the grooming area has glass walls i was able to see this 'groomer' inappropriately brushing this tiny dog's long coat soo roughly, and she kept grabbing its face and shouting aggressively at it when it moved slightly due to the pain she was causing it!! Was horrible poor thing, we complained to the manager, who did nothing, then we sent 2 emails to head office threatening too report them to the RSPCA, never heard back!! wish i had a camera on me so i could of filmed it and got it as evidence! We have never shopped there since.

Also when they used to sell birds, we had to tell them one of them had a injured leg, they didn't even realise! durrrrr

 

[Guest]

And we all have, which is great. But not everybody is aware of these conditions, let's face it it's hardly publicised, and some people just don't care or don't see what they're doing as helping the problem. They think they're helping that one animal and don't see the bigger picture.
So whilst the solution may simply be to stop buying from them, actually it's bigger than that and it's awareness that we need to focus on.

I disagree, it is awareness AND boycotting that needs to be focused on
With the age of the internet there is NO reason to shop at P@H

I have to say if people had to deal with the attitudes that I dealt with over the last couple of months due to their "trial" that they did I doubt people would be singing any branches praises..... They will be responsible for so many illnesses and deaths in the next few months it is just disgusting :cursing:

 

[26871]

I personally think animals should not be sold through pet shops at all, but pet shops could perhaps supply lists of good breeders for interested people. The problem with people (especially children), particularly in our current 'want it now' culture, being able to walk into a pet shop is that it's too easy to impulse buy pets. The shop, interested in the sale rather than the animal's welfare, doesn't care if the animal goes to an unsuitable home, they want a sale. Taking away the cute animals in the shop may dissuade some of the more impulsive member of society from buying an animal. If someone decides that they would like to find a new family member, they will have to track down a breeder & hopefully they will do some research while they search

 

[LynseyB]

But you can only focus on boycotting ONCE PEOPLE ARE AWARE.

The reality of the situation is that people just dont know. Either because they are too lazy to do the research or they just dont care enough to do the research.
It's frustrating and annoying I know, but it's what is going on.

People often don't look in to these things themselves but if there was a better way to publicise it, they may think twice once armed with the knowledge.

 

[Beverage]

Pets @ Home are to Pet Shops what Halfords are to Motorfactors...

They use sales assistants that generally have not much clue about what they are doing or selling. Quite often part timers who are at college that are just looking for some extra dough. If they do have extra knowledge its because of there own interest rather than training provided by the company.

They are expensive as well. Royal Canin 15kg for Giant Breeds £60. Big Dog World 2 x 15kg for £80 delivery next day. Same as halfords. Any one in the 'Trade' won't go near them. They are aimed at joe bloggs who they can rip off with out them noticing because they are too lazy to google before they buy.

They are useful because they have good stock, they are everywhere and are open when other pet shops aren't always (sundays, nights, Bank holidays etc).

Yet I still find myself in there on a regular basis. I often use the shops to look at stuff. When my mrs has finished dragging me round looking at toasters and hoovers its nice to go over and look at stuff (even if you ar enot buying).

They are also great for socialising your puppy.

 

[thedogsmother]

I wonder if something along the lines of the protests that they have outside the puppy farm supporting pet shops would raise awareness. If people were outside with placards showing scenes from rodent farms at least it would get the message out there. I know its thr case that with the internet everyone should know about rodent farms but to be honest unless you look for it you dont see it. The sort of people who get animals from P@H are often the sort of people who impulse buy. There are good pet shops out there who treat unwell animals, and buy from small breeders who care for their animals but they are few and far between and it still leaves animals in a stressful situation in tanks or cages in busy shops.

 

[LynseyB]

I wonder if something along the lines of the protests that they have outside the puppy farm supporting pet shops would raise awareness. If people were outside with placards showing scenes from rodent farms at least it would get the message out there. I know its thr case that with the internet everyone should know about rodent farms but to be honest unless you look for it you dont see it. The sort of people who get animals from P@H are often the sort of people who impulse buy. There are good pet shops out there who treat unwell animals, and buy from small breeders who care for their animals but they are few and far between and it still leaves animals in a stressful situation in tanks or cages in busy shops.

I have thought about this too (standing outside with pictures etc). I would also be interested to see how many would change their mind about purchasing an animal once armed with the information of how they are bred.

 

[Guest]

But you can only focus on boycotting ONCE PEOPLE ARE AWARE.

The reality of the situation is that people just dont know. Either because they are too lazy to do the research or they just dont care enough to do the research.
It's frustrating and annoying I know, but it's what is going on.

People often don't look in to these things themselves but if there was a better way to publicise it, they may think twice once armed with the knowledge.

Nope, I can boycott WHILST making people aware Many people on this forum (for example, not getting at ANYONE in particular) will still buy from P@H and they will know where these animals come from (there are enough threads about it) so no I don't agree with your last statement due to personal experience

Oh and just to add this is a normal convo from P@H staff to customers, this was about a doe they had in the adoption center:

I asked about bonding and bringing xxxxx in, or taking her home for a trial to see if they got on etc, and what they would recommend and they told me that they would not sell me a rabbit as a companion because it is 'too distressing' and 'too difficult' to bond rabbits. He made me feel really guilty for suggesting it, like I was doing something really wrong and he said that he would ensure that they didn't sell me a rabbit as I should just leave him on his own

Good customer service huh??

 

[LynseyB]

Nope, I can boycott WHILST making people aware Many people on this forum (for example, not getting at ANYONE in particular) will still buy from P@H and they will know where these animals come from (there are enough threads about it) so no I don't agree with your last statement due to personal experience

Oh and just to add this is a normal convo from P@H staff to customers, this was about a doe they had in the adoption center:

Good customer service huh??

You dont agree with my statement that "People often don't look in to these things" and that "They may think twice"
I would say these are factual statements.

I to have known plenty of people who do know better, but still buy them anyway and yes it frustrates the life out of me. I'm not saying this doesnt happen. I'm saying that it's not the case that everyone chooses to turn a blind eye.

Also, yes YOU can boycott whilst making people aware. That's obvious. My point was that you cannot get other people to boycott until they are aware.

 

[Guest]

You dont agree with my statement that "People often don't look in to these things" and that "They may think twice"
I would say these are factual statements.

I to have known plenty of people who do know better, but still buy them anyway and yes it frustrates the life out of me. I'm not saying this doesnt happen. I'm saying that it's not the case that everyone chooses to turn a blind eye.

Also, yes YOU can boycott whilst making people aware. That's obvious. My point was that you cannot get other people to boycott until they are aware.

Ad I said many people from this forum, fb and other forums ARE aware of what goes on, yet they still buy from them so I still stand by my original thoughts "out of site, out of mind", the majority of people DO turn a blind eye

The fact is until people stop singing their praises people will continue to buy from them because (and I hear this ALL the time) "Well I've never had a problem with them" look through this thread it is mentioned at least 5 times already.
As far as the general public are concerned so long as they don't see the abuse or filthy conditions then it just doesn't happen no matter how much info you shove in front of them ut: (look at animal testing for example, everyone knows it happens but not everyone will buy cruelty free).

As I said in one of my posts it is the blissful ignorance that gets to me when the people involved DO know better....

 

[LynseyB]

Ad I said many people from this forum, fb and other forums ARE aware of what goes on, yet they still buy from them so I still stand by my original thoughts "out of site, out of mind", the majority of people DO turn a blind eye

The fact is until people stop singing their praises people will continue to buy from them because (and I hear this ALL the time) "Well I've never had a problem with them" look through this thread it is mentioned at least 5 times already.
As far as the general public are concerned so long as they don't see the abuse or filthy conditions then it just doesn't happen no matter how much info you shove in front of them ut: (look at animal testing for example, everyone knows it happens but not everyone will buy cruelty free).

As I said in one of my posts it is the blissful ignorance that gets to me when the people involved DO know better....

Yeah, of course. It gets to me too. When people know better and yet choose to buy the animals, it's extremely frustrating I have also known people who have changed their mind about buying from pet shops once I have told them why it's not a good idea, so we have to remember it can go the other way too.

All I'm saying is that you can't tar everyone with the same brush. Some just dont care enough. Others are ignorant and too lazy to find out.

I also understand what you're saying about people "singing their praises", but in this thread, they have been asked for their experiences and they have given them.
I still buy some things from them that I find difficult to get elsewhere, but I havent and wouldnt buy an animal.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, of course. It gets to me too. When people know better and yet choose to buy the animals, it's extremely frustrating I have also known people who have changed their mind about buying from pet shops once I have told them why it's not a good idea, so we have to remember it can go the other way too.

All I'm saying is that you can't tar everyone with the same brush. Some just dont care enough. Others are ignorant and too lazy to find out.

I also understand what you're saying about people "singing their praises", but in this thread, they have been asked for their experiences and they have given them.
I still buy some things from them that I find difficult to get elsewhere, but I havent and wouldnt buy an animal.

I'm not tarring everyone, just the majority, I was using the comments in this thread as an example of what gets said across the board

Please don't take this as a dig but there WILL be other places to get the items you get from P@H, buying products from them is still supporting them IMO

 

[LynseyB]

I'm not tarring everyone, just the majority, I was using the comments in this thread as an example of what gets said across the board

Please don't take this as a dig but there WILL be other places to get the items you get from P@H, buying products from them is still supporting them IMO

That's okay. I haven't taken it as a dig. I get 99% of my items online, but there is not one petshop accessible to me that doesnt sell animals. If I need some decent cat food unavailable in Tesco etc, I'll buy it from them. I can see why you wouldn't, and I'm not saying it's ideal, but I think it is very different from using them regularly and purchasing animals from them.

 

[shamykebab]

I was completely indifferent to PAH until I met the rabbit supplier for the stores in the NE of England and parts of Scotland. Those rabbits are churned out of a huge, industrial-sized barn. I was so shocked I was speechless when I saw the size of it. I wasn't able to look inside, but from the way she keeps her miniature JRTs inside the house I can't imagine it's very hygienic.

I always boycott petshops that sell livestock. Before I knew any better I bought my cats from local petshops - they were far too young to be sold, and the shop owners didn't even know their DOB or even what the mother looked like. One of those petshops is still selling livestock today. I fume everytime I see a sign up their window saying "kittens/gerbils/rabbits" for sale.

 

[bewitched]

My rabbits Amy and Alfie came from p@h before I knew better. We have been really lucky with Amy but Alfie is no longer with us. He was a sick rabbit his whole life due to bad breeding. He cost a fortune in vet bills, I'm just glad he came to us instead of someone who would have just left him in a hutch at the bottom of the garden. The only thing that gets bought from p@h now is Lulas food.